Parma City Council considering payroll tax rebate program for Pitt Ohio

PARMA, Ohio -- City Council is expected to award an Economic Development Grant to Pitt Ohio for its proposed 23-acre Chevrolet Boulevard complex.

Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter Mark Holan Special to Sun News

"It's exciting this year we'll be moving forward on the long-anticipated project," Mayor Tim DeGeeter said. "We have a great working relationship with Pitt Ohio. Besides getting shovels in the ground, this grant is the next step that was always anticipated from the beginning, back in 2015."

Pitt Ohio COO James Fields added: "We have been very encouraged to work with the city of Parma on a project of this magnitude. They have been forward-thinking and progressive every step of the way."

Parma Economic Development Officer/Grant Writer Shelley Cullins said the grant is a 15-year agreement with Pitt Ohio, which will receive half of its payroll tax returned as long as it maintains at least $6.8 million in payroll.

"That's the starting point, which is approximately 180 jobs," DeGeeter said. "It's anticipated after two full years of operations they'll add another 60 jobs."

Three years ago, the Parma Planning Commission approved the Pittsburgh-based trucking company's plans for a trucking terminal and complex on a current Chevrolet Boulevard parking lot located in front of the former GM Powertrain building.

"It's a piece of the parcel that was picked up when GM went through bankruptcy," DeGeeter said. "Pitt Ohio has been firmly committed to Parma. It took a little longer than anticipated, but we're excited for this project in so many different ways. They're utilizing solar, wind power, so it will be a LEED-certified facility.

"They're also talking about partnering with the schools regarding STEM education. So we're ready to finally get them going, get them to Parma. It's taken longer than anticipated, but it's a project that's finally coming around," he said.

Cullins said City Council is expected to pass the Pitt Ohio Economic Development Grant on or before April 2. Groundbreaking is expected this spring, with the facility opening in late 2019.

As far as the Economic Development Grant, she noted that the city currently has 10 active agreements with various businesses.

"It's one of the tools we can use for our economic development, because we do not do your traditional property tax abatement like you see in other communities," DeGeeter said.

"Because of our working relationship with the schools, that's never been contemplated by this administration or the previous administration. So this is a good tool in our economic development toolbox."